Harry Kane is slammed while Manuel Neuer is asked pivotal three-word question as German press grill Bayern Munich after defeat by Aston Villa
Harry Kane was slammed in the German press after his performance against Aston Villa in the Champions League.
Kane played the full 90 minutes for Vincent Kompany‘s side as they looked to secure their second win of the new Champions League campaign after beating Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on the opening matchday.
But it was Villa who came out on top in a shock result, with Jhon Duran’s long-range effort proving the difference between the two sides on a historical night at Villa Park.
The England captain cut a frustrated figure as he missed a great opportunity to level things up just moments from time, and he appeared angered by Serge Gnabry refusing to square the ball in his direction for a tap in earlier in the game.
And, for German publication BILD, it was a performance to forget by Kane as he received criticism and a brutal rating.
Harry Kane was slammed by the German media for his performance against Aston Villa
The England captain, branded ‘invisible’ by BILD, had just one shot in the game – a late header
He had grown frustrated earlier on in the game when Serge Gnabry refused to pass to him in space
‘Had ankle problems after the Leverkusen clash, but was fit in time,’ the publication wrote of Kane. ‘The England star was hardly seen and missed a great header chance to equalise shortly before the end.’
Kane was given a rating of five out of six, with one being the highest and six the worst.
He was also described as ‘invisible’ by the same publication, having failed to add to his 10 goals in seven matches prior to the game.
Kane netted four in the win over Zagreb, but was kept quiet by Villa centre back duo Diego Carlos and Pau Torres, despite Unai Emery’s side being yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this term.
‘When he returned home, the captain of the English national team remained invisible,’ Bild wrote of Kane. ‘Just as he did against Leverkusen.
‘[He] only managed his only shot on goal seconds before the final whistle.’
Kane, who will join up with the England squad after this weekend, played almost the whole game in the clash with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend, but again struggled as his side drew 1-1.
Prior to that, he had netted five goals in four games – including a hat-trick against Holstein Kiel – in a successful start to life under Vincent Kompany.
He wasn’t the only Bayern player to have received a low rating, with two other players from the German giants receiving the second-worst score possible.
Alphonso Davies, who made ‘far too many easy mistakes’ also received a five, as did Kingsley Coman.
Kane was branded ‘invisible’ as he struggled for the second game in a row on Wednesday night
Alphonso Davies (left) and Kingsley Coman (right) both, alongside Kane, received the second-worst ratings possible from BILD
Manuel Neuer was asked a pivotal three-worst question for his role in Aston Villa’s winner
Jhon Duran (centre) scored the only goal of the game from distance with Neuer way off his line
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, was blasted for his role in Duran’s goal, which saw him stranded in no man’s land as the in-form forward lobbed him from around 25 yards.
It took just a long ball and first-time effort to get the better of the veteran, who scored a four in BILD’s ratings.
‘Where was he?’ the publication asked of the Bayern icon over his role in the goal.
They added: ‘His risky style of play was punished when the goal was scored. The keeper was standing too far in front of his goal.’
